We want to influence our children positively by teaching them socially acceptable behaviour and how to understand differences. Books in this category include themes on accepting oneself and others, making friends, social etiquette and good manners.
The Happiest Hippo in the World
Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2009
Call No.: JP STE
Summary: All the circus animals are shocked when baby hippo is born green! They know there are a lot of things that are green but definitely not a hippo. The hippo then leaves for New York to find a new life. There he finds someone who accepts him as he is. This is a good book to convey the message of accepting others who are different.
Mouse Was Mad
Author: Linda Urban
Publisher: New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2009
Call No.: JP URB
Summary: Mouse is very angry but he finds it difficult to express his anger. When he is hopping mad, Hare can hop better than him. Other animals seem to be better than until he finally finds his own way – by keeping absolutely still! A hilarious book for small children, especially those who are still throwing tantrums.
Stinky!: or How the Smelly Warthog Found a Friend
Author: Ian Whybrow
Publisher: London: Gullane Children's, 2009
Call No.: JP WHY
Summary: Stinky, as his name suggests, is a smelly warthog who desperately tries to find new friends. However, whenever he finds somebody to play with, flies get attracted to him and he causes a mess. The story ends with him eventually finding a friend who does not only mind the flies, but also welcomes them.
Daft Bat
Author: Jeanne Willis
Publisher: London: Gullane Children's, 2009
Call No.: JP WIL
Summary: The bat gets everything wrong, or at least, that's what the other animals think. They conclude that the bat is simply foolish when he uses the umbrella to keep his feet dry. The wise owl then makes the animals hang themselves upside down from a branch and gets them to look at things from the bat's point of view.
Little Beauty
Author: Anthony Browne
Publisher: London: Walker, 2008
Call No.: JP BRO
Summary: This is a story of a special gorilla in a zoo who is taught sign language to communicate with his keepers. He has everything he needs, but he is sad because he has no friends. One of the keepers decides to give him a companion, a cat named Beauty. This is a touching tale of true friendship and the consequences of losing one's temper.
Stellaluna
Author: Janell Cannon
Publisher: San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanoich, c1993
Call No.: JP CAN
Summary: Stellaluna is a baby bat who gets separated from his mother when they are attacked by an owl. She is then adopted by a family of birds. She tries very hard to fit in with the birds by sleeping at night and perching upright on a branch. This is a heartwarming story about accepting each other's differences.
Nobunny's Perfect
Author: Anna Dewdney
Publisher: New York: Viking, 2008
Call No.: JP DEW
Summary: This book teaches children how to be good and polite. Examples of bad manners are demonstrated first and the story starts with bunnies who bite, hit, kick and shout. The second half of the book shows bunnies who never bite, do not tease and say please. This simple story with short rhyming words effectively shows the difference between right and wrong behaviour.
George and Martha
Author: James Marshall
Publisher: Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2007, c1972
Call No.: JP MAR
Summary: This book contains two short stories about two hippo friends, George and Martha. In the first story, Martha likes making pea soup but George hates pea soup. One day, he pours pea soup into his shoes and Martha sees him! Find out what happens in this endearing story about the two good friends.
Marshmallow
Author: Clare Turlay Newberry
Publisher: New York: Smithmark Publishers, 1999
Call No.: JP NEW
Summary: Oliver the cat's comfortable life is disrupted when a baby rabbit, Marshmallow, joins the family. His instincts tell him to attack the little bunny, but Marshmallow's endearing nature softens the cat. This is a true story of how Oliver eventually treats Marshmallow like his own baby.
The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Publisher: New York: North-South Books, 1992
Call No.: JP PFI
Summary: Rainbow fish has sparkling scales and is the most beautiful fish in the ocean. This makes him proud and greedy. One day, he is rude to one of the fish and in return all the fish ignore him. The wise octopus helps him discover how to be happy by sharing his prized possession.
The Boy Who Wouldn't Share
Author: Mike Reiss
Publisher: New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins Publishers, c2008
Call No.: JP REI
Summary: Edward is a selfish boy who refuses to share. He has many toys but does not let his sister touch any of them. One day, his greed gets the better of him and he gets stuck in his mangle of toys, and misses the chance to eat some chocolate fudge. But his sister does not bear any grudges, and willingly shares her fudge with him.
Say Please!
Author: Tony Ross
Publisher: La Jolla, Calif.: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2006
Call No.: JP ROS
Summary: This is one of Tony Ross’ Little Princess series. In this book, the Little Princess learns how to say "please" and "thank you" and finds out that it gets better results than just screaming and yelling.
Will Sheila Share?
Author: Elivia Savadier
Publisher: New York: Roaring Brook Press, c2008
Call No.: JP SAV
Summary: No, Sheila will not share. She refuses to share her toys and treats unless they are green beans. Her wise Nana gently shows her by first sharing a hug and kiss. Sheila eventually learns, and starts by sharing a bowl of berries with her friends.
Emily's Out and About Book
Author: Cindy Post Senning
Publisher: New York, N.Y.: Collins, c2009
Call No.: JP SEN
Summary: Emily loves going out with her mum. In this book, toddlers will understand the importance of good manners as they go along with Emily to the library, the shop and the clinic. The story also shows how social skills such as giving a nice greeting and smile can make an outing even better.
Gruff the Grump
Author: Steve Smallman
Publisher: London: Little Tiger, 2009
Call No.: JP SMA
Summary: Gruff is a grumpy bear, growling and scowling away and making the other forest animals stay out of his way. One day, a little rabbit cries out for Gruff’s help. The rabbit returns Gruff's kindness by giving him a star. A series of events leads to Gruff letting rabbit become his friend and softening his heart.
The book covers are the copyright of the respective publishing companies.